A TOPLESS TATOOED WOMAN AND HER TAMBOURINE IN MOROCCO

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 A pretty young topless woman sits in deep thought. She is holding a tambourine. Her facial tatoos, headdress and jewelry reflect her Moroccan culture. Some viewers of this postcard believe that the woman is a prostitute. It is likely that these observers are correct. Her nudity and the popularity in Europe of photo portraits of prostitutes in less developed countries, provides supporting evidence that she is indeed a sex worker.  This is an ethnographic postcard. Buying or sending a risque photo postcards was more acceptable if the card provided a look at a people from different cultures. This postcard is part of a series (no. 92). The photo was taken by Marcelin Flandrin (1889-1957). Flandrin moved to Morocco in 1901 and volunteered for the military in 1912. He served as an Army photographer. Around this time, Morocco came under French rule. He corroborated with the French government and tourist boards. He was very involved with the French Protectorate government. Flandrin was criticized by some Moroccans for reinforcing “Orientalist” stereotypes . During the Rif War (Spain vs. Berber tribes), he published a number of reports. During World War I he served in the Air Force as an air observer, taking aerial photos of fighting. After the war he moved to Casablanca and went to work taking many photographs between 1921 and 1930. He published many photo books about Morocco. Flandrin was also an important postcard publisher in Morocco. The Cabinet Card Gallery blog includes another postcard by Flandrin. This photo postcard captures a group of prostitutes in Casablanca (Morocco). You can view this postcard by placing the name “Flandrin” in the search box. SOLD

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Published in: on March 4, 2019 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PRETTY NUDE MODEL WITH INVITING GAZE POSES FOR PORTRAIT (P C PARIS 1920’S)

I am hoping that Cabinet Card Gallery visitors are not offended by this tastefully done vintage nude real photo postcard. Postcards of nudes were a popular collectors item during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. They were considered to be artistic and not pornographic, although most photographers and nude models did not allow their names to be printed on the postcards. In addition, some retail outlets (Photo Galleries) for these nude postcards kept them under the counter. Clearly, many of those involved with creating and selling these postcards, had fears of being prosecuted. Buyers of these postcards did not mail them. They were strictly collectibles. There is some disagreement about the women who posed for these photographs. Originally, many believed that the women were either local prostitutes, artist models, or actresses. However, there is a growing belief that most of the models were working women who modeled to supplement their income. This particular nude postcard was published by a French firm known as “P.C. from Paris. The P. C. logo is an abbreviation for Papeteries de Levallois-Clichy. The firm published a variety of real photo postcard topics including portraits of women, nudes, views, and holiday cards. The company was active in the 1920’s. The lovely model seen in this postcard was a popular one. She modeled for many of the firm’s nude postcards. This postcard is part of a series (#1887). She appears to be of Spanish origin and is casting an inviting gaze. She is wearing a “piano shawl”. Normally these shawls are used to decorate the top surface of a grand piano.  Piano shawls were also used as an accessory in women’s fashion.   SOLD

Published in: on December 26, 2017 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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